Breast cancer screening in transgender patients: Findings from the 2014 BRFSS survey.

Abstract

1564 Background: Transgender patients undergoing transitions often receive cross sex hormonal therapies, placing them at uncertain risk for developing breast cancer. There is limited population-based information about the extent to which transgender patients undergo mammography screening. Our purpose was to determine the extent to which transgender patients undergo mammography screening using nationally representative survey data. Methods: Transgender participants in the 2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey were included. Proportions undergoing mammography screening in the last year or two years were calculated stratified by age category and transition status (male to female(MtF), female to male(FtM), non-conforming(people who do not follow societal notions how they should look or act based on the sex they were assigned at birth)). For each transition status, predictors of mammography screening (demographics, indices of access to health care) were calculated using logistic regression. Results: 656 transgender patients were included (343 were MtF, 203 were FtM and 110 classified themselves as gender non-conforming). For MtF respondents, 61.5% of women underwent mammography screening within the last year (71.9% within last two years). For FtM respondents, 66.1% underwent mammography screening within the last year (74.2% within the last two years). For gender non-confirming transgender patients, 57.9% underwent mammography screening within the last year (74.4% within the last two years). For all transgender patients, income category (OR 1.16, 0.82 - 1.64), higher education category (OR 1.09, 0.31 - 3.86) and health insurance (OR 0.38, 0.10 - 1.41) were not associated with increased adherence to mammography screening. Adjusted for age, education, race and income, transgender patients were comparably likely to undergo mammography screening compared with non-transgender patients (OR 0.97, 0.58 – 1.62). Conclusions: High proportions of transgender survey respondents undergo mammography screening (57.9 – 66.1% within the last year, 71.9 – 74.4% within the last two years), proportions comparable to non-transgender survey respondents.

Evaluating Risks, Reported Cases and Screening Recommendations for Breast Cancer in Transgender Patients

“…In a study of 220 patients aged 40 to 74 years, Narayan et al 32 found that transgender and nontransgender patients were equally as likely to undergo mammography, regardless of income category, higher education category, and health insurance. However, it should not be assumed that the younger generation of transgender patients would have equal levels of adherence to doctor's visits and recommendations.…”